Vinery Stud’s maxim to meet the market was tested to the limit with a big draft during the big wet at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale this week.
Riverside Stables coped with the drenching and so did Vinery with a total of 25 lots parading for buyers with only two not finding new homes. This excellent clearance rate, well above sale average, was due to a large extent on the market’s respect for Vinery’s recent strike-rate with its’ 2yo graduates.
Letzbeglam added her name to the stud’s black-type roll-call in the Blue Diamond Prelude Gr.2 at Caulfield on Saturday. That list has continued to grow in the last twelve months with Hard Landing (Maribyrnong Plate Gr.3), Exhilarates (MM Gold Coast 2yo Classic RL), Kooweerup (SA Breeders’ Stakes Gr.3) & Farnan (MM Wyong 2yo Classic RL).
Vinery champion All Too Hard had all bar one of his 16 yearlings change hands and top of the dial was a $200,000 colt bought by Astute Bloodstock agent Louis Le Metayer. Catalogued as Lot 339, he was sold by Lime Country Thoroughbreds (as agent) and is the second foal of NZ-bred winner Nakataan (Zabeel).
Lime Country’s Greg and Jo Griffin prepped their first Classic consignment in 2018 after moving from NZ to Burradoo in the NSW Southern Highlands.. “This is the first time we’re selling on behalf of Kia-Ora Stud and they are outstanding breeders,” Jo Griffin said. “Their All Too Hard is a beast of a colt. Everyone was on him and there were bids flying all over the shop. Well done, Louie.”
Boom 3yo Alligator Blood has given All Too Hard a major boost this season and he’s primed for an autumn opener in the C S Hayes Stakes Gr.3 at Flemington on Saturday. Managing part-owner Allan Endresz has upped the ante for his autumn campaign via social media this week.
“The Gator is ready to rumble. He’s settled in beautifully at Flemington and Ryan (Maloney) was pumped after his work on Tuesday morning. Be ready Melbourne. The Gator won’t give in.”
Endresz bought an All Too Hard – Innishbeg colt from Vinery for $200,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions last month and he was back for more while bidding on behalf of Ezibonds No.1 Syndicate at the Classic Sale. He targeted the All Too Hard colt from Berna (Lot 13) and got a bargain at $70,000 for the half-brother to Macau stakes winner Big Alloy.
Alligator Blood’s trainer David Vandyke bought an All Too Hard online at the Classic Sale on Tuesday. The colt from Sydney winner Urban Rocker (Lot 544) was sold by Vinery (as agent) for $105,000.
Vandyke also prepares All Too Hard 2yo filly Weona Karioi. She is an unraced older sister to the colt that cost Astute Bloodstock $200,000 this week.
“I love All Too Hard as a stallion,” Vandyke said. “They are tough horses mentally and physically. And they get better with age.”
Alligator Blood was a dominant winner of the Magic Millions Guineas RL on the Gold Coast and will be coming off a five-week break for the C S Hayes Stakes (1400m). He has opened a $2.25 favourite and will use it as a the stepping-stone into the Australian Guineas Gr.1 at Flemington on February 29 and $5 million All-Star Mile on March 14.
